4th week of Lent – March 11, 2024
Community Care Update Note from Julie:
Can Gardens Save Us? The art of walking in nature. A glimpse of happiness, health, safety and ease.
Gracious God, help me today to realize that you will be speaking to me through the events of the day, through people, through things and through your creation…Give me ears eyes and a heart to perceive you --- however veiled your presence may be. Give me insight to see through the exterior of things into the interior of your truth. Give me the spirit of discernment. Oh Lord you know how busy I must be this day -- If I forget you - do not forget me. Amen
St. Augustine said “It is solved by walking” and Friedrich Nietzsche “All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking”. I also refer to walking as stilling the fluctuations of the mind and CREATING SPACE, TO ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND JESUS IN.
A Walk in the Garden with Emmanuel’s Grief Group – Here’s the story!
A Walk in the Garden proved to be the medicine that 10 of us in our GriefShare group needed last week. As we entered the space of Naples Botanical Garden, quietness and peace took over and the waterfalls glistened in the sun. Just as Jesus experienced Solitude and Suffering in the Wilderness alone during these 40 days of Lent, we were reminded how important it is to take time to walk in contemplation. All of our senses were flooded with peace and beauty as we walked together.
There were small ponds framed with weeping trees, and the sound of trickling water. The scent of white alyssum, like honey, masses of red and purple salvia, heliconia, and every type of palm tree surrounded us. We noticed many cultures of gardens — Japanese, Thai, even a Florida garden. We stopped and swung on swings which as we got higher in the air, the musical notes the swings played got faster! That was a childlike joy for all of us. We sat in enclaves, bridges and archways to read a scripture or poem about nature. We observed orchids— phaleonopsis “butterfly” in white, lime green, and bright yellow as well as fuchsias and purples, and deep blue panda and cymbidium orchids. All our senses were engaged and overflowed with the grace of nature. At our last stop, we sat in small groups. I could feel the peace of each person because of what nature provided to us. It put everyone in a light mood. Our minds quieted. We walked slower. We spoke kinder to each other. We forgot pain. The garden taught us to slow down and enjoy beauty. The past was gone. The present beauty we were immersed in together was all we had and it was stunning! We were living in the moment with no effort! We were so grateful to spend time with God’s beautiful creation!
Holy Lord
We thank you for the gardens in our lives - For the pathways we walk -in all the seasons For the birds of the earth the flowers and trees. The sun and the rain. The animals that live with us to be cared for and loved. Your creation is so abundant in beauty.
Lord God, in the quiet of our hearts, we remember your walk in the wilderness in these 40 days and during Holy Week will take moments in the garden to remember your life and suffering.
Amen.
